The Haymarket Riot On May 4, 1886, over 1500 workers were gathered in Haymarket Square in Chicago. The rally was organized by German labor radicals and held in order to protest the killing and wounding of many workers by the Chicago police during a previous strike at the McCormick Reaper Works who were rallying for an 8 hour workday. The originally peaceful rally held in Haymarket Square was set to have three speakers, August Spies, Albert Parsons, and Samuel Fielden. At the conclusion of Fielden’s speech, a police squad approached the rally ordering for it to disperse. The group rallying refused and at this an unknown person threw a homemade bomb into the group of policemen. At least 7 policemen died that day from wounds caused by the bomb or the following gunfire. It is also estimated that at least 4 civilians died that day, but it is uncertain because those wounded would not seek medical attention for fear of incrimination.
One of the biggest consequences of the Haymarket Riot was the widespread feeling of xenophobia. Many foreign-born radicals and labor organizers were arrested by Chicago police following the incident. Nationwide, immigrants and naturalized citizens feared the consequences of this riot. In addition, Chicago police convicted 8 accused anarchists in connection with the bombing. The case lacked evidence and the jury was infamously biased. 7 of the 8 men were convicted and given the death sentence and the last only received 15 years in prison. Ultimately, 4 men were hanged, another committed suicide the night before his scheduled execution, and the last 2 were given life in prison. Because of this, the public had two differing views on the convicted men and their accused crime. The majority of people felt a heightened anti-labor sentiment. Other people felt that the executed men were martyrs for a noble cause. All in all, the Haymarket Riot had many effects and made a large impact on further labor movements.
On May 4, 1886, over 1500 workers were gathered in Haymarket Square in Chicago. The rally was organized by German labor radicals and held in order to protest the killing and wounding of many workers by the Chicago police during a previous strike at the McCormick Reaper Works who were rallying for an 8 hour workday. The originally peaceful rally held in Haymarket Square was set to have three speakers, August Spies, Albert Parsons, and Samuel Fielden. At the conclusion of Fielden’s speech, a police squad approached the rally ordering for it to disperse. The group rallying refused and at this an unknown person threw a homemade bomb into the group of policemen. At least 7 policemen died that day from wounds caused by the bomb or the following gunfire. It is also estimated that at least 4 civilians died that day, but it is uncertain because those wounded would not seek medical attention for fear of incrimination.
One of the biggest consequences of the Haymarket Riot was the widespread feeling of xenophobia. Many foreign-born radicals and labor organizers were arrested by Chicago police following the incident. Nationwide, immigrants and naturalized citizens feared the consequences of this riot. In addition, Chicago police convicted 8 accused anarchists in connection with the bombing. The case lacked evidence and the jury was infamously biased. 7 of the 8 men were convicted and given the death sentence and the last only received 15 years in prison. Ultimately, 4 men were hanged, another committed suicide the night before his scheduled execution, and the last 2 were given life in prison. Because of this, the public had two differing views on the convicted men and their accused crime. The majority of people felt a heightened anti-labor sentiment. Other people felt that the executed men were martyrs for a noble cause. All in all, the Haymarket Riot had many effects and made a large impact on further labor movements.